Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery has said that Sergio Perez’s tire failure during the Korean Grand Prix was not caused by an underlying problem with the tires themselves, but instead a result of a flat spot caused by a lock-up.

The Korean International Circuit has traditionally been tough on tires, and many drivers made mistakes during practice as they looked to find the limit when it came to pushing on the Pirellis. However, on lap thirty-one, Perez locked up heading into turn one (pictured), producing a huge amount of tire smoke. Seconds later, his front-right tire delaminated heading along the straight between turns two and three, warranting a safety car to clear the debris that gave Mark Webber a puncture.

“Regarding Sergio Perez’s front-right tyre issue we have been able to determine very quickly that it was the result of a flat spot caused by a lock-up under heavy braking,” Hembery said. “We’re obviously on exactly the same construction as we raced here last year, so there’s no underlying problem, while flat spots or punctures have just always been an integral part of racing.”

Pirelli’s tires have come under extra scrutiny this season following a series of failures at the British Grand Prix back in June that prompted the Italian supplier to re-introduce last year’s constructions in Hungary before the summer break. However, this incident is merely a combination of factors, meaning that there are no concerns that the same issues may flare up again in the final five races.

It was confirmed last week that Pirelli would continue to supply Formula One with tires in 2014 despite a turbulent season.

@apexassassin: Why complain about Parelli. They are making the tires to FIA requests. F1 has taken out most of the variables in fuel and construction. The tires are the one thing that they have control over for every competator. FIA wants the tires to degrade. Make the tires so there is no wear of worry then we will go back to the parades of 10 years ago. Whatever position one gets in at the start of the race they ended-up at the end.

NO ONE asked for this. It’s a story that was created AFTER Pirelli failed to make decent tires. I’m a F! fanatic… I recall Pirelli begging Bridgestone for technical assistance and not getting it. I recall Pirelli trying various methods of construction and failing.

Then this story of the FIA requests appeared. Seriously, you are either a noob, gullible, or so used to the media spin that you can’t see the truth for what it is. Just look at Pirelli’s use of steel versus kevlar! Who asked for that?

What is the point of multimillion dollar cars if you put on cheap assed tires that restrict the racing and performance. No specific offense to you, but it’s ignorant statements like your that perpetuate the bullshit.

Dude, stop with this garbage. Pirelli was asked to make high degrading tires. Why would Hembry make quotes like the following when wanting to continue on beyond this year? I know you don’t want to believe it for whatever reason but sorry it’s true.

“Alonso and Webber were both unhappy with Pirelli’s aggressive tires during the Korean Grand Prix weekend, claiming that it is not normal for drivers to not be able to push hard in qualifying or the races. But Hembery has reiterated his stance that the current concept of high-degrading tires is exactly what Pirelli had been asked to do.

He said that if Webber and Alonso should be upset at anyone, it should be the teams who demanded Pirelli spice up the action.

When asked if he understood Webber and Alonso’s frustrations, Hembery said: “They are no different to maybe Michael [Schumacher]’s last year. It is maybe a different input if you are having to manage the tires and you don’t want to do it.

“Then you have a different point of view. And there is nothing wrong with a different point of view. It is just not what we’ve been asked to do at the time. If we had been asked to do no degradation and no pit stops, then that is what we will have done.”

apexassassin - Oct 7, 2013 at 6:04 PM

@indycar

Stick to ovals, pal or get your facts straight. Your quotes are years out of date and pointless. I live F1. Literally.

Out of date because the story debuted during the 2011 season AFTER the tires proved to be awful… so you are 2+ years too late and are just regurgitating press releases designed to misdirect you. I really don’t know how much clearer I can put it.

Q. Why would Hembry say that if it wasn’t true?
A. Lol, seriously? How about that’s his job? He’s a politician with more faces than a deck of cards. If you are the fan you claim to be you should be able to see how his statements change to save face for Pirelli and are constant contradiction.